Month: June 2017

According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, by the year 2020, the number of people living with at least one chronic illness will increase to 157 million. Today, 7 out of 10 Americans die from chronic disease-hospice support can play a vital role in helping these individuals through their end-of-life journey with compassion, love, and respect.

Serious illnesses not only effect the individual faced with them, but family and loved-ones as well. Hospice provides support to all of these individuals throughout the duration of services. Hospice helps create individualized plans based on each patient’s needs. The hospice team addresses pain and symptom management issues so that every moment can be as comfortable as possible. Staff visit at regular scheduled times and go wherever the patient calls home. Hospice is also mindful of the patient’s caregivers, you wil

It is important for us to know our healthcare options and make the best choices that suite our individual needs. Many people confuse Medicare and Medicaid benefits, although they sound familiar they are both very different programs. With Medicare open enrollment approaching fast (October 15), you should know the difference between Medicare and Medicaid and who’s eligible for each program. Because of the different eligibility rules, some people who qualify for Medicaid won’t qualify for Medicare and vice versa.

Click on the link below to learn how either one of these programs may benefit you or a loved-one today.

Modern medicine has always focused on the cure. But what if there is no cure? In the past we used to be told , “Nothing more can be done.” With hospice, there is much more that can be done.

Anyone with a progressive, life-limiting illness or condition may be appropriate for hospice. A patient themselves, a loved-one, or their physician may recommend it. Patients of any age with any end-stage illness can be referred. The sooner the patient is referred, the better. Many say the only regret they have about hospice is they didn’t call sooner.

CompassionCare Hospice responds within 30 minutes after a referral is received. Our Admission Nurse Specialists are available to answer any questions you and your family have and help you understand the nature of your illness, and how to have the best quality of life possible.

There are many things you can do to beat heat-related illnesses. Infants, kids, and the elderly are most sensitive to heat changes and require the most attention. It’s best to stay indoors when the temperature and heat index are at an ultimate high. Keep hydrated and remain inside where it is air conditioned. If you must go outside make it short and take precaution. Protect yourself and others by wearing sunglasses, hats, and proper sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).

Review the symptoms on this chart and if you or a loved-one experiences any of these, take action immediately or call 9-1-1 if necessary. If you experience heat exhaustion or stroke, its best to let your body recover. It may take several days or weeks-ask your physician when you can return to normal activities.

Reflecting on memories and things we did throughout our lifetime is something most everyone does as they near the end. We can look at pictures, listen to particular songs, or tell stories to recall the past. Hospice services offer support to patients and families for these particular types of things-some now adding “Legacy Therapists” to their list of professional staff members.

The point of this particular service is coaxing out a patient’s most intimate memories and threading them into a last story (also called a life review) that can be recorded for family and friends. This new type of therapy offers a way to ease the pain of facing death, without drugs or medication. A patient is asked a series of numerous questions they must give answers to by the hospice chaplain or social worker and a psychologist. Many individuals are faced with feelings of isola

While hospice services provide clinical support, there are other types of services that individuals and families also seek-one of those is Personal Care Assistance, also known as PCA services. PCA services are a type of home care services that help people with their non-medical health needs so that they can remain independent rather than relocating to a facility. Many of our elderly are medically stable and not in need of a higher level of care-they want to remain at home. PCA can help assist in elder needs so they can sustain their independence and quality of life.

PCA service help people with activities of daily living: Grooming, toileting, eating, bathing, dressing, and mobility/transferring. Many go a step further and assist with meal planning and prep, money management, running errands (doctor appointments), essential household chores, and getting around in the community. For those

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization voices their concern over the short lengths of service provided to hospice patients. NHPCO recommends that physicians, patients, and loved-ones discuss their end-of-life options before a crisis occurs-before it’s too late. Early referrals to hospice assure that pain and symptom management begin immediately and reduces unnecessary hospitalizations.

Anyone diagnosed with a life-limiting illness who is ready to forgo curative treatment can qualify for hospice services. These services are provided in the patient’s home and also provide support and education to the family/caregivers. This allows for more quality time to be spent with those we love. Both medications and medical equipment are also provided to the hospice patient-covered 100% by insurance. Access to services are available 24-7: support, spiritual, volunteer, and bereavement coun

If you or a loved-one are faced with a life-limiting illness you may find yourself making frequent visits to the hospital. This can not only become costly, but tiresome. Whether you yourself are making these hospital trips or it’s a family member you’re looking after, there are key things you can do in preventing these hospital readmissions from happening.

Before you are ready to be discharged from the hospital, the first time, be vocal in how you are physically feeling. If you’re not “better” or still are experiencing issues-say something to the doctor before you are released. Be sure you are clear on discharge orders and when you need to see your physician next, these follow-up appointments play an important role in keeping you from going back to the hospital. Knowing your medications and taking them properly prevent hospital readmission too.

Many often falsely believe that hospice kills those who are in their care. Of course people die while receiving hospice; however, they die from their disease process. Not hospice itself. Hospice services honor the natural dying process while managing pain and other symptoms. Patients and family members frequently question the hospice’s use of pain medications and are concerned in addiction occurring-also false. Not every person dying suffers from pain, but those who do are carefully monitored and treated appropriately until the very end.

Hospice professionals are experts in pain management and aim to ease all pain and uncomfortable symptoms for a patient. One may want more medication to ease severe pain, while another may choose to tolerate more discomfort so they can stay more alert. These types of treatment plans are discussed and decided upon with the patient,

During National Safety Month in June, the goal is to help individuals prevent injuries and accidental deaths by calling attention to common safety and health risks. Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages and they are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. In our elderly, medication safety and fall prevention are at the top of the list, but both of these can be prevented.

Have your health care provider review your medications-even over-the counters. As we age, our bodies change the way medications affect us. Different combinations can make you dizzy, sleepy, and even cause falls. More than one third of adults 65+ fall each year in the US and these occur most in the home. Remove items that you can trip over-shoes, rugs, clothes, etc. and use non-slip mats in the bathtub or on shower floors, placing grab bars where needed.

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the millions of individuals’ world-wide, family members, and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Every 60 seconds someone in the US develops this disease according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is the most common form of dementia accounting for 60-80 percent of cases and is not a normal part of the aging process.

Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss, the disease causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, a person may forget the name of a longtime friend or how return to a home where they’ve lived for several years. These signs and symptoms worsen as the disease progr

COPD flare ups can be bad, bad enough to land someone in a hospital. COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases that include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms consist of shortness of breath, chronic cough, fatigue, wheezing and chest tightness. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe-regular exercise can prevent you or a loved-one from ending up in the emergency room.

Of course the symptoms from COPD can make exercise difficult, however, there are modified exercises you can do to help. Regarding mild COPD, light cardio is recommended at least 5 times a week for up to 30 minutes. Regular exercise can lower your resting heart rate and blood pressure so your body can use oxygen more efficiently. Your lungs won’t have to work so hard if you do this on a consistent basis. Exercise also makes you less susceptible for flare-ups and can help you lose weight, which in tur